REVIEW: The Thirteenth Gate by Kat Ross + Giveaway

Winter 1888. At an asylum in the English countryside, a man suspected of being Jack the Ripper kills an orderly and flees into the rain-soaked night. His distraught keepers summon the Lady Vivienne Cumberland—who’s interviewed their patient and isn’t sure he’s a man at all. An enigmatic woman who guards her own secrets closely, Lady Vivienne knows a creature from the underworld when she sees one. And he’s the most dangerous she’s ever encountered.
As Jack rampages through London, Lady Vivienne begins to suspect what he’s searching for. And if he finds it, the doors to purgatory will be thrown wide open…
Across the Atlantic, an archaeologist is brutally murdered after a Christmas Eve gala at the American Museum of Natural History. Certain peculiar aspects of the crime attract the interest of the Society for Psychical Research and its newest investigator, Harrison Fearing Pell. Is Dr. Sabelline’s death related to his recent dig in Alexandria? Or is the motive something darker?
As Harry uncovers troubling connections to a serial murder case she’d believed was definitively solved, two mysteries converge amid the grit and glamor of Gilded Age New York. Harry and Lady Vivienne must join forces to stop an ancient evil. The key is something called the Thirteenth Gate. But where is it? And more importantly, who will find it first?

Author Bio:Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She lives in Westchester with her kid and a few sleepy cats. Kat is also the author of the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day (Skyscape, 2014), about a world where the sea levels have risen sixty meters. She loves magic, monsters and doomsday scenarios. Preferably with mutants.

First of all, rest assured that you'll enjoy the book even if you haven't read "The Daemoniac" (by the way, The Dominion it is a really good book so you should definitely check it out :p)

Anyway,
as I said many times before (bear with me, okay?) I don't know how our
Kat Ross succeeds - each and every time - in creating amazing,
thrilling and heart-pounding stories.

The 13th Gate it is a real
treat especially if you - like me - are fan of paranormal mysteries,
even more so if you have a penchant for Victorian London (which I've
always adored...).

The first part of the book lets us
follow Alec & Vivienne as they go about their business and their
life. And if you've read The 4th element series you'll probably
recognize them. I will admit that the mention of the Water dogs motto
"We're the light against the darkness" had me melting *oh the feels!*
as it was really beautiful to find such an hint to a beloved series.

I
mentioned above that you do not need to have read the other series or
the previous book to be enthralled by this action packed story.
However, I'm sure that if you have already read the other books you will
catch the more subtle references and hints and will have the pleasure
to appreciate the 13th Gate to yet another level.

The
pace of the book is well balanced to the point that it has your heart
pounding but, at the same time, allows you to fully appreciate the
velvety splendor of Victorian London (Yes, I'm really into this! If only
I were allowed inside the book, if only...).

As far characters
go, I loved Vivienne but then again that was no surprise ( I did love
her earlier self too) . She and Alec were a fantastic pair! However, I
have the feeling that these two will make my poor heart suffer (*Squints
at the author*)...Oh but what a sweet suffering---

During the
second part of the book the action switches to New York and to Harry and
John. They too were a great pair and definitely super fun to read. They
had a lovely Sherlock vibe to them! (Terrific! <3)

Still, the
best part (in my opinion) was when Harry & John and Vivienne &
Alec get to work together as it was exceptionally thrilling. No!
Wait...maybe the best part was getting to see Balthazar again and in a
tail coat at that (Oh Hello my darling *drops dead on the floor*).

He's
one of the kind of characters I love best and he's one my favorites
together with James Moran which appeared in "The Dominion". I hope to
see him again--actually I won't mind a scene with him and Balthazar
possibly with both in tailcoats *Kat, do you hear me??*(*////*)

Aaaand I got sidetracked!! Damn it!

Anyway,
as far as characters go you will also meet the wonderfully creepy Miss
Mary Elizabeth Wickes (do not worry Neblis you're still the Queen of
Creepers ). She gave me chills and those children? Good god. Believe me
you're in for a really spooky but cool things.